thyroid nodules

[scribey]

i am a 57 y/o female.  in follow-up to sonorogram performed in 2006 and 2009 in which 7 nodules were identified, a sonogram performed last week indicates there to now be 8 nodules in the right lobe of my thyroid.  in addition to the 8th nodule, there is some growth noted in the previous nodules.  the 2009 report references color flow in 3 nodules last year; the 2010 report makes no reference to color flow (same technician/radiologist performed both sogograms).  1.14 (length) x 0.99 (transverse) x 0.62 (FP cm complex herogeneous nodule; 1.5 x 1.43 x 1.36 cm complex heterogeneous nodule; 1.21 x 0.93 x 0.93 cm solid hyperechoic nodule; 1.33 x 1.32 x 0.90 cm solid hyperechoic nodule; .89 x .72 x .55 cm solid hypoechoic nodule; .94 x 1.14 x 0.70 cm complex nodule; 0.64 x 0.53 x 0.51 cm solid hyperechoic nodule; 0.83 x 0.92 x 0.99 cm solid hyperechoic nodule.  i had a complete left lobectomy in 1974 to remove a 1.8 cm (max dimension) follicular adenoma (fetal type) described as "slighty grandular, but non-friable".  however, during a 2009 sonogram, there appeared to have been remaining tissue (measuring 1.8 x 0.86 x 0.82 cm) in the left lobe; the 2010 sonogram indicates new measurements to be 2.1 x 1.2 x 1.2 (uniform echotexture). (i feel a little like a lizard growing her tail back!)   nuclear testing in 2009 was treated as unremarkable, and preserved as baseline data.  thyroid panels (as well as recently identified osteoporsis) now indicate pituitary involvement.  on palpitation, lymph nodes in my neck are enlarged.  on receiving the report yesterday, my PCP referred me to an endocrinologist; i was seen today and immediately referred to a surgeon (specialist in endocrinology) for a full thyroidectomy.  as an infant/toddler, i lived in china lake, ca for 3 years (age 6 weeks - 3-1/2 years), which was one of the 4 nevada test sites (yucca flats).  i was exposured to (i believe) 3 above ground atomic detonations during that time.  my father died of leukemia within 2 years; my brother (4 years my senior) has had testicular cancer and lymphoma.  my body has manufactured benign tumors since i was 18 months old (soft tissue, cartiligenous, spinal and bone), and i am currently being monitored by both contrast and non-contrast mri every 6-12 months for tumors on my liver, kidney and adrenal cortex (all believed to be benign), and one is my liver that is speculated to be an hematic hemagioma.  i'm getting a little confused as to what i may have growing in my thyroid, the pituitary issues, swollen lymph nodes, and labs that suggest i am experiencing hypothyroidism (but pituitary labs indicate hyperthyroidism).  my physical symptoms are all over the board, but do include recent hoarseness, periodic swallowing difficulty (solids and liquids), extreme fatigue/malaise, increased hair loss, weight gain (no change in eating/exercise), hot "flashes" that make menopause seem like a dress rehearsal.  with regard to my thyroid .. i understand thyroid cancer to be the primary cancer among atomic survivors.  there is a very high cure rate in thyroid cancer, so i am very optimistic.  but .. i want to be prepared when i see the surgeon.  by the information i have provided, do the nodules seem to be characteristic of thyroid cancer?  what type of tests should i anticipate on a pre-surgical basis (we are bypassing further nuclear isotope testing and needle biopsies due to the number, nature and scope of nodules)?  what types of questions should i ask the surgeon?  what should i be researching or preparing for?  many thanks ... i'm trying to avoid extreme confusion and agitation!  :)

[scribey]

i had hoped to have the surgery last year, and am grateful that's the track i'm on now .. no more tests.  i think one of the reasons i'm so nervous is that i've been through the surgery once ... and had not anticipated i'd be paying to get my throat cut again (i'm thinking about "cut on dotted line" beneath my scar!).  i know it must be an incredible relief for you, to be able to reference the surgery in the past tense, and to be feeling so much better!
i appreciate your support very much .. thank you!  

[Kimmydee2]

I understand your concern  and I was too afraid of my nodules.  My surgeon told me there is no way of knowing what nodules are made up of until they come out.  Nuclear studies and labs are very unreliable with the thyroid.  A trusted surgeons hands can tell by the "feel" of the gland in surgery.  If surgery is what they are suggesting, go ahead.  And just to let you know that after my surgery my physical symptoms are decreasing.....Good luck to you!!